With the cost of raising a child to age 18 exceeding $320,000, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst States to Raise a Family in 2026, to highlight the states that are affordable, safe, well-educated and enjoyable for families to live in. Maryland came in ranked 20th overall.
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 50 key indicators of family-friendliness, including median annual family income, housing affordability, health care quality, crime rate, and school quality.
| Best States for Families | Worst States for Families |
| 1. Massachusetts | 41. Georgia |
| 2. Minnesota | 42. South Carolina |
| 3. North Dakota | 43. Oklahoma |
| 4. Wisconsin | 44. Arkansas |
| 5. Nebraska | 45. Louisiana |
| 6. New York | 46. Alabama |
| 7. Connecticut | 47. Nevada |
| 8. New Hampshire | 48. Mississippi |
| 9. Illinois | 49. West Virginia |
| 10. Maine | 50. New Mexico |
Maryland ranked 20th overall in the WalletHub analysis, with mixed results across the five categories. The state performed best in Affordability, where it placed 7th, standing out compared to many higher-cost states. Maryland ranked 16th in Education and Child Care, reflecting relatively strong outcomes in that area, while landing 25th for Family Fun. The state scored lower in Socioeconomics, ranking 22nd, and had its weakest showing in Health and Safety, where it placed 30th nationally.
To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-raise-a-family/31065
